magazine archive
magazine archive
Big News
Investors wary of Imperial’s plan
Thursday 10 Nov 2016Tobacco firm Imperial Brands ( IMB ) is under some pressure as it announces plans to step up spending as it faces the prospect of an enlarged competitor in the form of the combined British American Tobacco ( BATS ) and Reynolds American (RAI:NYSE) , as recently proposed. The increase expenditure is...
Oil firm IPO in dividend pledge
Thursday 10 Nov 2016Oil company Diversified Oil & Gas is looking to raise £48m through an AIM IPO to support its production-led buy-and-build strategy in the US Appalachian basin. The company says it plans to pay a dividend by 30 June 2017 after joining the junior market this December. Efficient management of its...
Market sweet on Associated
Thursday 10 Nov 2016Primark owner Associated British Foods ( ABF ) is in demand as it hails 2016 as a ‘turning point’ for its sugar business. The company reported (8 Nov) a 5% increase in full year revenue to £13.4bn, with its earnings per share and dividend also up 5%. As well as a boost from sterling weakness, the...
Sepura in the crosshairs
Thursday 10 Nov 2016A takeover battle could emerge at struggling walkie talkies technology company Sepura ( SEPU:AIM ) . Buyout negotiations with Chinese suitor Hytera Communications were confirmed on 4 November. Although a firm offer has yet to be made the news sparked a 47% jump in Sepura’s share price to 21.75p...
Fevertree keeps on raising the bar
Thursday 10 Nov 2016High-end tonic water-to-ginger ale supplier Fevertree Drinks ( FEVR:AIM ) continues to look a long-term winner after treating investors to a sixth round of earnings upgrades since listing on AIM two years ago (7 Nov ‘14). Forecasts were revised upwards again following the latest trading update (7...
Reasons to be positive on HSBC’s 6.5% yield
Thursday 10 Nov 2016Amid fears it would deliver soft third quarter numbers, HSBC ( HSBA ) is flying high after beating consensus forecasts with a 7% increase in underlying pre-tax profit to $5.6bn. Investors can have greater confidence in the current prospective yield of 6.5% as the company reported capital ratios...
Sage under pressure
Thursday 03 Nov 2016Accountancy software supplier Sage ( SGE ) may struggle to cling on to its current lofty share price rating. There are likely to be limited signs of accelerating growth when it reports full year 30 September results on 30 November, and there is even the risk of missing vital 6% organic revenue...
Shell beats while BP cuts eat into profits
Thursday 03 Nov 2016Investors in BP ( BP. ) and Royal Dutch Shell ( RDSB ) will have little time to relax in the wake of their respective third quarter updates on 1 November. A looming OPEC meeting scheduled for 30 November could have a major impact on oil prices and oil equities. OPEC is a cartel of oil producers...
Don't get too excited by Anglo spin-off talk
Thursday 03 Nov 2016There is growing talk that FTSE 100 miner Anglo American ( AAL ) is trying to demerge or sell its South African coal and iron ore businesses. It has already announced plans to focus primarily on diamonds, platinum and copper. Anglo’s share price has risen 284% year to date thanks to improving...
FreeAgent looks for £8m
Thursday 03 Nov 2016The London IPO market has not completely dried up, accounting solutions and apps to micro-businesses FreeAgent has started talking to investors about raising £8m of growth funding. It wants to float with a market cap of £31m to £35m, or after adjusting for net cash, an implied £26m to £31m...